International Hoops thread

[Kanyewest]

There is no way Serbia or France are beating us. This game against Lithuania becomes the real final IMO.

Why is Lithuania better than France? Batum would be the best player on either team. Diaw and Gobert were impressive against Spain.

US is now the favorite, biggest concern may be complacency.

Lithuania had been playing well before they hit us. And they started the game off strong too. This France team hasn't really been all that impressive before that Spain win. They're a shell of the team that won the European championship last year.

I'm just not seeing seeing it. Beating Spain when it matters most is greater than playing 1 good half of basketball against the US, especially since the US has owned everyone in the 3rd quarter- and the US has struggled against Turkey and Slovenia in the 1st half.

True France doesn't have as much talent since Noah and Parker aren't playing but as far as NBA talent goes, France has Lithuania beat with Batum, Diaw, Gobert, Mahimmi, and Fournier. Although the US could blow out France but I would be more scared of France if Gobert plays like that again like he did against Spain.

[stevemcqueen1]

Why is Lithuania better than France? Batum would be the best player on either team. Diaw and Gobert were impressive against Spain.

US is now the favorite, biggest concern may be complacency.

Lithuania had been playing well before they hit us. And they started the game off strong too. This France team hasn't really been all that impressive before that Spain win. They're a shell of the team that won the European championship last year.

I'm just not seeing seeing it. Beating Spain when it matters most is greater than playing 1 good half of basketball against the US, especially since the US has owned everyone in the 3rd quarter- and the US has struggled against Turkey and Slovenia in the 1st half.

True France doesn't have as much talent since Noah and Parker aren't playing but as far as NBA talent goes, France has Lithuania beat with Batum, Diaw, Gobert, Mahimmi, and Fournier. Although the US could blow out France but I would be more scared of France if Gobert plays like that again like he did against Spain.

You could be right. Maybe I'm underestimating France, but they just don't scare me at all. Beating Spain is a legit pelt for France, but I thought they were the worst of the final four teams remaining before we beat Lithuania. I was more scared of Valanciunas than I am of Gobert and Diaw and Lithuania does have a strong national program. France would scare me if it was last year's team. But this one can't score. It wouldn't surprise me if Serbia torches them.

Minor point, Mahinmi isn't on this team either. He hurt his shoulder in practice before the tournament I think. Diaw's late career resurgence with the Spurs aside, Batum is really the only player they have who isn't a marginal NBA talent. Spain really pooped the bed against them.

All in all, we were lucky to get the draw we did. Lithuania took out Turkey, leaving them as the only legit team on our half of the bracket. No Greece, no Brazil, no Argentina, no France, no Serbia, and no Spain for us until the Finals.

[Kanyewest]

Lithuania had been playing well before they hit us. And they started the game off strong too. This France team hasn't really been all that impressive before that Spain win. They're a shell of the team that won the European championship last year.

I'm just not seeing seeing it. Beating Spain when it matters most is greater than playing 1 good half of basketball against the US, especially since the US has owned everyone in the 3rd quarter- and the US has struggled against Turkey and Slovenia in the 1st half.

True France doesn't have as much talent since Noah and Parker aren't playing but as far as NBA talent goes, France has Lithuania beat with Batum, Diaw, Gobert, Mahimmi, and Fournier. Although the US could blow out France but I would be more scared of France if Gobert plays like that again like he did against Spain.

You could be right. Maybe I'm underestimating France, but they just don't scare me at all. Beating Spain is a legit pelt for France, but I thought they were the worst of the final four teams remaining before we beat Lithuania. I was more scared of Valanciunas than I am of Gobert and Diaw and Lithuania does have a strong national program. France would scare me if it was last year's team. But this one can't score. It wouldn't surprise me if Serbia torches them.

Minor point, Mahinmi isn't on this team either. He hurt his shoulder in practice before the tournament I think. Diaw's late career resurgence with the Spurs aside, Batum is really the only player they have who isn't a marginal NBA talent. Spain really pooped the bed against them.

All in all, we were lucky to get the draw we did. Lithuania took out Turkey, leaving them as the only legit team on our half of the bracket. No Greece, no Brazil, no Argentina, no France, no Serbia, and no Spain for us until the Finals.

I think we more or less agree that the US became the clear favorite once Spain lost to France.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Team USA exceeded my expectations.

Faried IMO has HOF potential. He is a cross between Paul Silas and Charles Barkley. Faried is going to get better and better offensively as his NBA career continues. His physical skills are off the chart. (Too bad Ernie liked Jan Vesely and Chris Singleton better than Faried.)

Another thing about Team USA: Irving wasn't just a Coach K pick. He was extremely good. Way better than Derrick Rose.

Also, Cousins or Plumlee? Coach K preferred Demarcus!



Sent from my SGH-M919 using RealGM Forums mobile app

[Induveca]

Team USA exceeded my expectations.

Faried IMO has HOF potential. He is a cross between Paul Silas and Charles Barkley. Faried is going to get better and better offensively as his NBA career continues. His physical skills are off the chart. (Too bad Ernie liked Jan Vesely and Chris Singleton better than Faried.)

Another thing about Team USA: Irving wasn't just a Coach K pick. He was extremely good. Way better than Derrick Rose.

Also, Cousins or Plumlee? Coach K preferred Demarcus!



Sent from my SGH-M919 using RealGM Forums mobile app

I hear you on Irving. Irving, Faried and Cousins impressed me the most on the entire squad.

Irving is going to take a HUGE leap this year. He was the better pick over Wall. Don't see how anyone who watched the games could argue otherwise.

[dckingsfan]

yeah, Irving's confidence is going to be sky high - I have a very bad feeling about Cleveland this year.

[Dat2U]

I hear you on Irving. Irving, Faried and Cousins impressed me the most on the entire squad.

Irving is going to take a HUGE leap this year. He was the better pick over Wall. Don't see how anyone who watched the games could argue otherwise.

Offensively the sky is the limit for Irving... he's been pretty good thus far in his career though the presence of Love & James may mean the amount of opportunities simply may not there to take a big leap.

The question is and has always been, will he be a willing defender? To say he's been a poor one would be an understatement. He's arguably the worst big minute perimeter defender since he's came into the league (maybe Jennings & Carter-Williams gave him a good run last year). As much as he's scored his first 3 seasons, he always gives it right back on the other end of the court.

If he becomes a willing defender this season, it will be for the first time in his career. I'm curious to see what happens.

[Induveca]

yeah, Irving's confidence is going to be sky high - I have a very bad feeling about Cleveland this year.

Don't see anyone beating them in the East, Spurs/Cavs in the finals. Scary lineup. Varejao will be relevant once again as well. Perfect environment for his style of play.